Cairo
 

Thinking of headign tehre for mrs spugsys b-day in early October. Just for three days and I would love to go and see the Pyramids.

Anyone got any tips of what to do, where to go, where to stay?

Cheers.

Re: Cairo
 

oo sounds fab! no idea where to go but an ask one of the guys at work whos been- does the missus know about this or should I not mention it?

Re: Cairo
 

yeah was her idea, and I've always wanted to see the Pyramids since I was knee high to a grasshopper.

Re: Cairo
 

I used to stay in the Sofitel El Gezirah Cairo on the Nile quite a lot. Good hotel, nice bar and a great restaurant floating on a pontoon thingy. It's in the middle of Cairo but you don't really suffer noise. It is around an hours drive to the Pyramids (that said no matter where you stay it will be an hour to the Pyramids because of the traffic)...

All hotels in Cairo are pricey though. Avoid the Ramsis Hilton that's a flee pit.

The Hyatt is nice - but I think is now dry - and if you want to save some money and don't mind being further out the Intercon at City Stars is excellent (I ended up nearly always staying at CityStars as it was near the airport and out of the traffic but it is remote)

I've also stayed at the Holiday Inn which is very nice too - not too sure what the location is like though as I spent my 48 hour stay with my head in the shitter due to illness!

On balance the Sofitel is my favourite for a proper Gypo experience.

Re: Cairo
 

stayed at the Nile Hilton. Old hotel in need of renovation but good views over the Nile.

If you want to stay in style go the the Mena House Oberoi Hotel next to the Pyramids. Bit Pricey though

thought the Pyramids were amazing but the huge amount of litter around them was disgusting

Re: Cairo
 

The Marriott is also very nice - with a courtyard / garden area.

Re: Cairo
 

Although its some time since I was there (lived there with my family for 2 years, and visited numerous times before that) I'd stay either in the Mena House Oberoi or the Intercon near the bridge with the lions on. Oberoi is opulent and is reminiscent of an earlier time; its right by the Pyramids, has a superb India restaurant, lovely grounds, and is relaxed. Intercon is in the city, and therefore closer to the hustle n bustle.

I suggest seeing the Pyramids at first light on horseback. Even if you've never ridden (which I hadn't at the time) its a fabulous experience. Just don't expect to exercise the tackle the next day.

Other places to go: Cairo Museum; Khan El Khalili (souq); the big mosque (Blue Mosque?); Marriott Hotel (I think there's more than one now, but go to the one which used to be a palace; have a drink in Eugenie's Room, then go down the steps into the casino (you'll need your passports)--and rub shoulders with guys who have a pile of chips in front of them worth several times your house), also good for a slap-up breakfast on a Friday morning).

Its a really fascinating city, which most people love and hate in equal measures, often on the same day.:D

Re: Cairo
 

I love and hate Cairo. I've not lived there but been more than 15 times I guess.

The Marriott hotel is great, I have been there a few times and it has a cracking courtyard and is a real palace as Bahtatboy points out. although I still prefer the Sofitel - Basically, stay around the Zamalak area.

I have heard about the curry house at the Oberoi but never been. One day, I may even go and see the Pyramids...!

Re: Cairo
 

The Fairmont have a deal on, pay for 2 nights and get a third free, looks nice there.

Re: Cairo
 

yeah heard good things about the Mena, cheers.

Re: Cairo
 

thanks mate, I'll bear all of that in mind.

Re: Cairo
 

I lived in Cairo for a year - well, in hotels. all the tourist stuff mentioned is good - Bahatboy means the Citadel (big mosque on hill). Also visit Coptic Cairo - old Cairo. Christianity was in Egypt before Islam and this is an often overlooked area that is really interesting. You can take the metro there - Africa's only subway. You should also take a felucca ride on the Nile - you get the boats just up from the Hyatt. At Khal al Khalili always walk away in order to get agree ment on price and DO NOT buy purfumes - they go off very quickly. also I find Sakara pyramids really interesting too.

I stayed at the Four Seasons First Residence - pricey but nice and you can see the pyramids from some of the rooms. Sofitel or the Marriot are also good. marriot has a nice garden. Avoid the (pink) Intercon by the bridge - the SemiRamis. I lived there fro 3 months and was always sick. It is dirty and I nicknamed it the Smellyramis

Re: Cairo
 

I spent a week-end in Cairo earlier this year. I know it's not the type of full service/resort hotel you are after, but I stayed at the Windsor Hotel in the central area, USD 46 / night. Michael Palin stayed there when he was doing his 'Around the World in 80 Days' series. Lots of character, but showing its age.

Got into eating fuul and in particular kushari - Abu Tourek is the restaurant for this, which was backed up by my Cairene work colleagues.

Airport bus to the downtown Egyptian museum area is LE 2. Every 20 mins (allegedly), but can be a little erratic. River taxi bus only LE 1 for an inexpensive run down the Nile.


Tourist visa can be purchased on arrival at the airport on a Brit passport. The places selling them double as money exchanges just before the passport desk, so most major currencies can be used. (Sometimes overlooked because the resorts like Sharm etc don't require a visa for package tours.)


Really liked Cairo, a large bustling city. Spent my time walking the streets, both at night when it's lively with and early morning when it's quiet.

Re: Cairo
 

Sounds great, but spoke to a few people who say it's a nightmare, people always trying to sell you stuff, never leave you alone, pickpockets etc...(still going though)

Re: Cairo
 

yes it is like that, its mad, but thats part of the weird attraction. I even had to pay the bathroom attendant for toilet paper in the museum.

You either love it or hate it. I loved it and would go back.